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The location was set by Shen Du, a Chinese restaurant adorned with coral-carved screens, and the walls were decorated with traditional Chinese paintings. Most of the potted plants were bamboo, and to enhance the elegance, a small water feature had been specially constructed.
As soon as Shen Du spotted Qiao Shuzhen entering, he quickly stood up to greet her.
"I'm sorry," she said while taking off her coat, "there was a bit of traffic on the way."
"I just arrived as well," Shen Du replied, handing her the menu. "I ordered a few dishes; I hope they suit your taste."
Qiao Shuzhen glanced at the menu briefly before closing it and handing it back to the waiter with a smile. "Let's go with these."
Shen Du poured tea for her. She studied the man in front of her and said, "Lawyer Shen, it feels a bit presumptuous to meet you alone like this on such short notice."
"Not at all," Shen Du smiled. "I originally intended to formally invite you to dinner; there's no time like the present."
In truth, when Qiao Shuzhen had asked him over the phone to keep things from Yao Nian for now, Shen Du had probably guessed what she wanted to discuss.
"I heard from Xiao Nian that you took over Yao Zhandong's case?" she inquired.
He nodded. "It's still in the verification stage right now, so I can't say I'm a hundred percent confident, but I will do my best."
Leaning back slightly, she took a small sip from her teacup. "To be honest, I really couldn't care less about his matters. However, since this concerns Xiao Nian's future, I have to ask more."
"I understand," Shen Du replied.
There was a moment of silence.
"Then I'll just say it," Qiao Shuzhen set down her cup and looked at him. "Xiao Nian told me that she liked you first."
Shen Du paused for half a second before smiling again. "She probably feared you'd blame her and hastily took responsibility upon herself."
"So what’s the truth?" she pressed.
"I pursued her first," he admitted.
Qiao Shuzhen sighed. "How could I not understand my own daughter? If she wasn't interested in you, no amount of pursuit would matter."
Shen Du chuckled softly.
Just then, the waiter began serving the dishes. After everything was placed on the table, Qiao Shuzhen continued speaking.
"You know that Yao Zhandong has been away from home for years now, and my relationship with her father hasn't been good either. Xiao Nian has inevitably been affected by this; we indeed bear some unshakable responsibility."
She took a sip of tea and looked at the man. "Your presence perfectly fills the void left by her love, so it's no surprise that she would come to like you."
Shen Du remained silent for a moment, his voice steady and unhurried. "Although Yao Nian is young, she is actually quite opinionated. I don't believe she would confuse familial love with romantic love."
Qiao Shuzhen scrutinized him, her tone carrying an interrogative edge. "And what about you? With your good conditions, you should have no shortage of women around your age. Why pursue someone so much younger?"
"I can understand your speculation about my motives," Shen Du replied, lowering his gaze. "When I first met Yao Nian, I did treat her as a junior, which led to a period of struggle when I realized my feelings for her had changed."
Qiao Shuzhen glanced at him but did not respond.
"I'm not good at expressing my feelings for her with grandiose words, or perhaps I'm just making promises to reassure you." His gaze was clear and resolute. "From the day we were together, I included her in my life plans—exclusively for me. She has absolute freedom."
"What if she's just a child at heart, wanting to try out a relationship?"
Shen Du smiled slightly. "She can make as many mistakes as she wants; before that happens, I will be there with her."
Qiao Shuzhen was taken aback. "But you're already over thirty; aren't your family anxious?"
"Naturally anxious," Shen Du said with a smile. "But Yao Nian is still young; she doesn't need to face that pressure."
The two exchanged glances for a moment.
Qiao Shuzhen smiled. "In the end, Xiao Nian's judgment is better than mine."
Qiao Shuzhen specifically booked the flight to London for the weekend to allow ample time for Yao Nian's farewell. Even though she had mentally prepared herself for Yao Nian's departure, the moment they stepped into the airport, Yao Nian's downcast emotions were uncontrollable.
As they went to check in their luggage, Qiao Shuzhen smiled and asked, "Do you want a hug?"
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